We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The carpentry business that I run is much better. I bought my own equipment using the transfers. Earlier on, I used to borrow equipment which was really inconveniencing me. I travel wide and far in this business. My business wasn't doing well because of this. I now have my own pieces of equipment and am more efficient in my work. It is evident with the increase in the number of proceeds. I meet my family's need much easier and also have extra income to save.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
I am planning to build a new house. According to our culture, a man should own a house in his rural home. I will use the next transfer to pay the carpenter and buy the remaining building material. After building this house will have where to sleep whenever I travel upcountry to see my forks in my rural home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 on buying iron sheets. I am planning to build a house back in my rural home The remaining KES 6000 went towards paying rent for the house that I live in. The rent had accrued for two months
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($195 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
At the moment, the only goal I have is to start a business of buying and selling clothes. I am planning to operate this business at a place in Mathare where I have located since I will be assured of more customers on a daily basis and this will increase my daily income.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daily life has changed since I received money from GiveDirectly since I was able to buy two drilling machines which have really helped me in income generation. Before buying these machines, I could only earn not more than 200 KES a day but at the moment, I earn more than this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly came to Mathare, I used to do some casual work for different people and get paid at the end of the day. The pay I was getting was little and could not sustain me. When I received my first transfers, I used them in buying two drilling machines so that I could use them to employ myself. I also decided to use part of my transfers to pay school fees for my siblings as they had a lot of arrears which I did not want them to be carried over to this year. Since I did not have enough decent clothes, I used the remaining amount to purchase some of them.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
When I received a message indicating that I had received the money which GiveDirectly had promised us, I was filled with happiness. At that instant, I started jumping up and down and my parents and siblings started wondering what was wrong with me as I had visited them the previous day and I was still at home. I then shared with them the good news and they were all happy for me.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I like fashion alot and have been thinking of running a boutique for a long time and because didn't have the income I had to kind of put it at bay, and as for now have gotten the money I will invest in this business. Right now am of age as per my tradition and I feel embarrassed that I do not have a roof on my head in a way that everytime I go home(shags) I always borrow somewhere to sleep due to this I want to build a house for myself. My mother is widow and sometimes getting finances to facilitate my sister's education is a challenge so I would want to give a hand.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is health crisis because you can do nothing when you are not well. You can barely serve even your own life purpose since your body can't handle a thing. Due to this am going to have a medical cover just incase. This is because my dad was a mechanic and died under gas cylinder flame and because we didn't have any medical cover we could do very less.
What are your greatest ambitions?
I would want to be a great entrepreneur of fashion and design in future. This is because I see much opportunities around this field and I see much coming so am set to embrace it vividly. I know I can do it without haste. Have always had a passion for this.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
At my usual day when am not busy I always relax with my pals sharing ideas while playing ludo(a kind of a game). Generally during my free time I always watch movies alot and go online to look on what's trending around the world. This is because we have an online group where we exchange ideas and how to run our lives as young people. I also get updates on what's happening within my community
